If you could have travel to any destination you wish, all expenses paid where would you go? White sands, blue waters? Swiss Alps? Mediterranean voyage? Where would you like to take it all in? When I use to be in teh position to hire employees, believe it or not that was a question I asked during the interview! One, it was an icebreaker and two, it really let’s you see what kind of person you’re dealing with.

If a person was very detailed and specific, I figured I had a planner or thinker in front of me. If the person gave a general answer like “somewhere warm,” or anywhere where there is fine dining,  i thought  gets the job done, but with teh bare minimum. If the person didn’t know, I assumed they were just wanderers.

I admit, it wasn’t a scientific method, and trust me there were plenty of other questions that helped to qualify or disqualify the candidate. In general though, the question was a surprisingly accurate way of telling the character of the would-be new hire.

This summer, I took the family to Virginia Beach. I have to say as my daughters are getting older, we are having much more fun as a family unit. They really appreciate spending time, having fun together and I actually enjoy it myself.  While I don’t get to put my feet up as much as a personal getaway for the adults, the fact that they not only are having a good time, but want to spend it with you is in itself a delight.

For example, when my eight year old asks me to take a swim with her or my two year old wants me to help her build a sand castle, its really because they want to share the activity with me – not because they need my help so much.  And even though, I’d rather sit down sometimes and let the sun work, hearing their giggles and having their smaller hands fit so perfectly in mind, when we’re building something together gives me the energy and in a spiritual way the peaceful rest I enjoy.

Next vacation or getaway you take, perhaps you should take the family. It’s more restful then you think.

ACM